Archive for General

Closing arguments in Wray trial, double pro racing tragedies, 3feet2pass survives GOP opposition

July 7, 2011 / / Comments Off on Closing arguments in Wray trial, double pro racing tragedies, 3feet2pass survives GOP opposition

Catching up on the week’s news after far too much bad news this week.

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Closing arguments are scheduled for Thursday morning in the trial of Gordon Wray, charged with misdemeanor vehicular homicide in the death of popular local cyclist and scientist Doug Coldwell. The trial resumes a 9:30 am in the San Fernando Courthouse.

If you’re in the area and have the morning free, the lawyers I’ve talked to tell me it can help to have a room full of cyclists to let the judge and jury know we’re watching.

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California’s proposed three-foot passing law took another step forward when the Assembly Appropriations Committee passed it on a straight party-line vote; next up is a vote by the full Assembly in August.

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This week’s tragic news has spread from the South Bay to the world of professional bicycling.

Oceanside cycling coach Mark Whitehead, a member of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic team and holder of 20 national titles, has died while attending the junior track national championships in Texas; no details have been released the cause of death. As a coach, Whitehead mentored multiple world champ Sarah Hammer and L.A.’s own 2008 national criterium champion Rahsaan Bahati, among others.

And rising Aussie professional Carly Hibberd was killed when she was hit by a car while training in Italy. She was riding with training partner Diego Tamayo of Columbia; Tamayo escaped injury, while Hibberd died at the scene. The 26-year old cyclist was just three months from her planned wedding.

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Red Kite Prayer looks at the recent Gran Fondo Los Angeles and says it needs a little work; directions to the post-ride festival my wife and I tried to attend to but couldn’t find until too late would have been nice, too.

I’m told that that Mayor of Beverly Hills gave a grand speech welcoming cyclists to the city. If only he’d do something to make us welcome the other 364 days of the year.

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The recently anti-bike New York Times seems to be shifting gears more often than a weekend warrior testing out a new derailleur. Their latest reports indicate women in New York prefer safety and fashion over cycle chic, while an Econ professor writing for their business blog explores the many benefits of the bicycle dividend:

Major improvements in bike infrastructure wouldn’t just make it easier to get to work. They would also create work, a high priority in our high-unemployment economy.

Construction of bike paths offers more job creation per infrastructure dollar than investment in roads. (For more details, see this recent study by my University of Massachusetts colleague Heidi Garrett-Peltier, who analyzed 58 projects in 11 cities, using an input-output model to measure employment impact).

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In case you missed it dodging cars over the holiday weekend, there’s a little bike ride going on in France for the next three weeks. And unlike most years, where there’s not much reason to pay attention before the race hits the mountains, this year’s Tour de France has offered some damn good racing going on from the non-prologue start, and more drama than a demolition derby.

American Tyler Farrar celebrates the Fourth with a victory in Stage Three, and dedicates his win to fallen friend and former teammate Wouter Weylandt. Formerly clenbuterol-tainted defending champ Alberto Contador finally makes a charge, but falls just short as Cadel Evans narrowly takes Stage Four. Stage Five turned into a crash fest as Cavendish takes the win, and Contador drops further back after riding into a ditch and taking it out on his bike; world champion Thor Hushovd leads by 1 second over Evans. RadioShack rider Janez Brajkovic was forced to leave the Tour due to his injuries, while Quickstep’s Tom Boonen escaped serious injury and will continue to ride.

Red Kite Prayer says the race could be wide open this year. And Frank Schleck manages to hold third place despite swallowing a bug and getting stung in the mouth.

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Mayor Villaraigosa orders L.A. agencies to work together to implement the city’s new bike plan, and asks for your input on how to make the city more bike-friendly. Joe Linton says the city is already falling short. L.A. lifeguards call a 4th of July SigAlert on the Santa Monica bike path. LADOT Bike Blog updates the status of the city’s bike lane projects, as well as the latest BPIT (Bike Plan Implementation Team) meeting; evidently, this one was a little less contentious and things actually got done. Will Campbell takes a time-lapse ride on the other side of the L.A. River. A cyclist fights for his right to take the lane in Culver City and loses. Claremont pulls the brakes on the Amgen Tour of California for next year, but would welcome it back in 2013. A day in the life of professional cyclist Cara Gillis. A Laguna Hills bike shop now offers roadside service for Orange County cyclists. Bay Area bike commuters are facing major traffic jams on the Golden Gate Bridge. JustAnotherCyclist lists his favorite cycling blogs, which includes your humble host in some very good company. The Executive Director of the Sierra Club says it’s time to look beyond oil to other solutions, including bikes; what, you thought he was going to call for expanding the 405 even further?

What if we treated motor vehicle deaths like any other preventable public health issue? Elly Blue concludes her groundbreaking series on Bikenomics by saying bicycling may not make us rich, but it creates a lot of well-being — and maybe that’s more important. Creating a circle of roadway courtesy. Recharge your iPhone while you ride. Steve Vance looks at the problem of construction detours that don’t consider or accommodate bikes, something that ticks me off on a regular basis. Yet another tragedy in New York, as the sister-in-law of famed attorney Alan Dershowitz is killed by a postal truck whose driver appeared to be unaware of the collision. CNN offers a positive look at the New York bike boom, but why does it always have to be framed as a battle between cyclists and drivers? Tennessee proposes a law requiring due care when passing a cyclist or pedestrian and eliminating the SMIDSY* defense, while Streetsblog offers a frontline perspective on the proposed law. A report from a Virginia TV station implies that cyclists don’t deserve protection on the streets because — OMG! — some of us break traffic laws just like drivers do; meanwhile, a fire truck strikes two riders in the same city without stopping. A cyclist’s guide to driving your bike safely; thanks to Dave Moulton for the link.

A university study says protein supplements may offer no benefit. London’s Guardian asks what’s the best way to stop an angry dog? A British driver walks free after killing a cyclist and claiming his sciatica caused it; a UK hit-and-run driver gets a suspended license and community service. This is what a bike theft looks like, while a teenager climbs three stories to steal a bike. Fighting poverty with bikes in sub-Saharan Africa. For the first time, Japanese police charge a cyclist with using a cell phone while riding.

Finally, advice for next weekend’s Carmegeddo, as a Chinese driver asks why sit stuck in traffic when there’s a nearby footbridge you can drive over?

*Sorry Mate, I Didn’t See You
Category: Bikes & the Law, General, Legal Cases / Tags: , , , , , , ,

Fireworks rides, Ride2Recovery car wash, Sunday Funday Presidents Ride, and great 4th of July sales

July 2, 2011 / / Comments Off on Fireworks rides, Ride2Recovery car wash, Sunday Funday Presidents Ride, and great 4th of July sales

Didn’t get a chance to do a full update this week’s events; hopefully, I’ll get a chance to catch up over the weekend.

But in the meantime, here are a few of this weekend’s events until we can get to a full update.

As always, Bike Talk airs every Saturday at 10 am; listen to it live or download the podcast from KPFK.

The Eastside Bike Club invites you to join them as they participate in the annual El Sereno 4th of July Parade on Saturday, July 2nd; decorate your bike and yourself in red, white and blue, and stick around for the fireworks at dusk. The ride assembles at 1 pm  at the El Sereno Library, 5226 Huntington Drive, with the parade starting at 2 pm. The ESBC will also be riding to view fireworks in Boyle Heights on the 3rd, and Alhambra on the 4th.

Flying Pigeon hosts their monthly Brewery Ride on Saturday, July 2nd from 3 to 5:30 pm,  meet at Flying Pigeon Bike Shop, 3714 North Figueroa Street in Highland Park.

A car wash will be held on Sunday, July 3rd from 9 am to 2 pm on Sunday, July 3rd to raise funds for Ride2Recovery, a nationwide program that helps wounded vets reclaim their lives through cycling. It takes place at 316 W. Florence Ave in Inglewood, with a taco truck onsite for those who want a great lunch or want to contribute without a car.

The next edition of the LACBC’s popular Sunday Funday rides rolls on Sunday, July 3rd, with the Salute to Our Founding Fathers Ride hosted by board member Greg Laemmle. The ride will start at the Helms Bakery Building and travel Washington, Adams and Jefferson Blvds and the historic West Adams district, as well as exploring the old tombstones at Angelus Rosedale Cemetery, stopping for a bite at La Taquiza, then returning along the route of the new Expo Line. The ride assembles at 9:30 am at the fountain in front of Father’s Office, 3229 Helms Ave, and departs at 10.

And what’s 4th of July weekend without a bike sale?

  • Santa Monica’s Cynergy Cycles is hosting a four day tent sale, with promised savings up to 70% and no sales tax.
  • Helen’s is hosting their annual 6-hour 4th of July sale, with discounts up to 75% on clothing and gear, and up to 50% on bikes; the sale takes place at the Santa Monica and Arcadia locations only. Pro tip: Get there early and line up at least half an hour before the 9:30 am opening; some of the best deals are usually gone within minutes of the doors opening.
  • REI is hosting their Summer Clearance through Monday, the 4th with savings up to 30%, in-store and online.
  • Bicycle Fixation, the bikewear outlet operated by my friend and fellow L.A. cycling advocate Rick Risemberg, is offering free shipping anywhere in the U.S. for purchases over $50.
  • Anyone else having a sale this weekend? Give me a heads-up and I’ll add you to the list.
Next weekend looks like a busy one as well, with some things you’ll definitely want to mark your calender for, including a CicLAvia Community Group Ride led by Joe Linton, a memorial ride for Nick Venuto, the cyclist and father killed in North San Diego when a speeding car flipped over onto an off-road bike path, and a car wash to benefit the Culver City 11 run down by an alleged drunk, speeding and distracted driver.
Oh, and there’s that little bike ride over in France for the next three weeks.

Category: General / Tags: , , , , , ,

LB shooting victim ID’d, Doug Caldwell killer goes to trial, Ventura’s Satnam Sing faces murder charge

June 24, 2011 / / 2 comments

Coroner’s officials identified the cyclist shot and killed in Long Beach on Tuesday night as 34–year old Pablo Ortiz. The shooting took place around 7:30 pm on the 2100 block of East 14th Street; anyone with information is asked to call the LBPD Homicide Detail at 562-570-7247.

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Trial will begin next week in the case of Gordon Catlett Wray, the driver accused of killing local scientist and cyclist Doug Caldwell, and injuring fellow rider Scott Evans. Jury selection and opening arguments are both scheduled for Wednesday at the San Fernando Courthouse, 900 Third Street in the city of San Fernando, case #0SR05313.

Reports are that both sides have stipulated to the cause of death — that is, that the victims were run over by Wray’s Camry — however, the fact that this is going to trial indicates that Wray’s attorney thinks he can get his client off. From what I’ve heard, they may claim that the sun was in his eyes, making it impossible to see the riders in front of him.

If you’ve got some free time next week, some cyclists sitting in the courtroom could help prevent any glare — or smokescreens — from blinding the jury.

Thanks to John Stesney for the reminder.

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Dj Wheels sends notice of a little good news, if you can call it that, that I missed somehow last week.

The Ventura County Star reports that a murder charge has been added to the charges against Satnam Sigh, the driver who killed college student Nick Haverland and injured several other people in a series of allegedly drunken hit-and-run collisions in Ventura last month.

According to the Star:

Senior Deputy District Attorney Richard Simon said second degree murder requires proof that the defendant acted with conscious disregard for life, not intent to kill, Simon said.

Prosecutors determined Singh’s actions fit that definition based on the defendant’s high blood alcohol level, speed and the fact that he fled multiple crashes before the collision that killed Haverland, Simon said.

“All those told us that he knew what he was doing was dangerous, but he did it anyway,” Simon said.

In addition to second degree murder, Singh faces charges of felony drunk driving, felony hit-and-run and misdemeanor hit-and-run.

Needless to say, he’s pleaded not guilty to all charges.

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Bikeside’s Alex Thompson offers an in-depth update on the Culver City collision case to include the good news that the driver could potentially face DUI charges after all. Hats off to everyone at Bikeside for taking the lead in covering this important case.

The Culver City Police Department has taken over the investigation, and officers are looking for any photos or video of the scene prior to intervention by police or fire officials, as well as testimony from independent witnesses (re: not cyclists or the driver). Anyone with information is urged to contact CCPD Officers Davis, Cisneros or Newman at 310/253-6254.

Word is that tonight’s Critical Mass may visit the crash site to protest the crash and initial police investigation; then again, knowing CM, it may not. But at any rate, the positive relationship with the LAPD should survive.

Meanwhile, a broad coalition of local cyclists and organizations have been working on an official response; look for a statement in the near future.

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Two arrests have been made in the beating of cyclists participating in the mostly-clothed L.A. edition of the World Naked Bike Ride earlier this month.  Twenty-year old L.A. residents Carlos Rojas and Amanda Arellano were booked under $75,000 and $35,000 bonds, respectively. Two other male suspects are still being sought.

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LACBC member John Morlock will be hosting a car wash from 9 am – 2 pm on Sunday, July 3rd at 316 W. Florence Ave in Inglewood to raise funds for Ride2Recovery, a nationwide program that helps wounded vets reclaim their lives through cycling. There will also be a taco truck onsite for those who want a great lunch — or don’t have cars and still want to contribute.

And I’m sure no one would object if you just want to stop by and make a contribution. Or if you walked next door to get a cobbler for dessert from one of the best restaurants in Southern California.

While this isn’t affiliated with LACBC, it’s a great cause and one I support 100%. So if you find yourself driving or riding anywhere near the area on the 3rd, stop by and tell John I sent you.

Maybe they’ll even wash your bike if you ask nice.

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Miscellaneous pro cycling news:

Twenty-eight-year old Austrian ultracyclist Christoph Strasser wins this year’s RAAM. RadioShack’s Levi Leipheimer overcame a two-minute margin to win the Tour de Suisse by a razor thin 4 seconds. Pro cycling’s winningest team could lose its sponsorship and cease to exist in fallout over doping cases — despite taking the High Road.

The Claremont Cyclist profiles the groundbreaking Greg LeMond, who turns 50 this weekend, and has his name on my bike. Ex-fellow Tour de France winner Floyd Landis is represented by a high-powered team of made-up lawyers; frankly, he needs the best team of imaginary barristers money can buy.

The contest I mentioned here last week to send someone to work with Team Liquigas­–Cannondale at next month’s Tour de France has been won by Joe Praino of Arlington VA.

And former framebuilder extraordinaire Dave Moulton raises a very intriguing question — why has the rate of deaths for pro cyclists doubled since UCI required helmets for all racers?

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A new street signal will finally be installed for the murderous North Hollywood intersection that took the life of 12-year old Emily Aleman and cycling hit-and-run victim Robert Painter. L.A. cyclists put together their own DIY bike destination map. Rick Risemberg says if this is the way they plan to build a bike boulevard, we’re better of the way things are. The latest BPIT meeting is compared to a tar ball, and not favorably. Changes are coming to Downtown L.A., with bike lanes planned for Fig, Flower, Spring and Main Downtown. A profile of bike, river and eco-activist Joe Linton. Actor Donald Sutherland hits a cyclist with his SUV in Santa Monica. The San Gabriel Valley Tribune says even though cyclists can be annoying, drivers should chill and let us live, and sentiment I share and for which I thank them. Sidi America will offer special deals at I. Martin Friday night; why do things like this always happen when I’m broke? Maybe because I usually am, no?

A group of South Bay cyclists say the proposed South Bay Bike Plan needs to include a real extension of the beach bike path through King Harbor. The family of Michael Nine, who was killed in a collision with a gardener’s truck in Newport Beach last year, files suit against just about everyone; as usual, be forewarned that ignorance abounds in the comments. A San Diego cyclist is buzzed by a patrol car, then written up for riding — apparently legally — in the traffic lane. The SF Chronicle says door zones, no; helmets yes. Cyclist’s riding the famed Golden Gate Bridge now face a 15 mph speed limit, with a 5 mph limit when passing peds; can a speed limit be legally enforced on vehicles that often lack speedometers? For a bike paradise, Marin County is pretty dangerous. Cyclists are urged to attend Monday’s State Assembly Transportation Committee hearing to support the proposed 3-foot passing law; word is the controversial 15 mph passing differential exemption has or will be removed.

Despite the negative headline, a car writer doesn’t seem to take a clear stand on whether an Interstate Bike Route System is a good thing or a bad thing; thanks to Al Williams for the heads-up. No surprise, it turns out the top cities for bike commuting are happier, too. A People For Bikes blogger narrowly averted tragedy at 15 by not getting a car. Green colored bike lanes are no longer considered experimental by the feds. A new study shows bike projects create more jobs than other transportation infrastructure. Sibling’s cross-country bike tour honors victims of drunk drivers. A man travels across country by bike to visit every major league ball park and ask for a job. Utah cyclists ride for respect and road courtesy. A Wyoming highway patrolman saves a cyclist towing two skateboarders from a drunk driver. Denver gets it’s first cycle track. A truly heartless hit-and-run driver hits and seriously injures an 11-year old, then gets out of her car to reclaim her hubcap before fleeing the scene. An 86-year old cyclist is killed in a time trial accident at the National Senior Games. Mystery art bikes return to Muskegon MI. A short, quick list on bike path etiquette; can’t say I disagree. The Wall Street Journal says New York’s bike wars are over and we won; even the Australian press say peace could be at hand — for New Yorkers, not for Aussies. Is Janette Sadik-Khan’s predecessor trying to sabotage her work? Evidently, it’s perfectly legal to run over a cyclist a second time — after she had already hit the rider once and gotten out of her car to check on her — in Mississippi. This is why you don’t run your dog next to your bike, especially on hot days.

A pro mountain biker is identified as one of the Vancouver hockey rioters — but not the one making out in the famous photo. Toronto officials waste no time in getting rid of popular bike lanes. Apparently, London’s transportation agency counts cyclists as just one-fifth of a car. Britain’s Conservatives go on record as opposing efforts to give walking and cycling priority in road projects. A lovely ride through London town; link courtesy of Bike Commute News. How to prepare your body and your bike for more riding. It’s amazing what you can do with a little tin foil, oil and a lot of patience. A Copenhagen cyclist is killed when a car being chased by police goes off the road at 112 mph. Advanced advice on wheel truing from Mitsubishi Electric Research Labs.

Finally, a big congratulations to the man who’s bringing bike culture to the hill country of North Carolina, as Zeke has been named a Haywood County Hometown Hero (scroll to page A10). And a NY cyclist says cyclists are people too, so ride responsibly and don’t be a tool, while the Onion offers their own unique take on bike safety.

Category: Bikes & the Law, General, Injuries and Fatalities, Legal Cases, Violence & Crime / Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

We have a winner!

June 23, 2011 / / 3 comments

Here's the official mileage from my ride on Wednesday.

Thanks to everyone who entered Wednesday’s contest for a free $25 gift card from Performance Bike.

And especially everyone who thought I could manage a decent distance. I’ll talk to everyone who guessed under 30 miles — or even 16 — after class.

As it turned out, a late start dictated by the day’s breaking news limited my options, since I had to get back for other commitments. But I still managed to get in a decent 40.39 miles — just 1.29 miles more than the 39.1 mile guessed by Joe Anthony of Bike Commute News; P4D was off by just 1.91 miles, and the lovely Alice Strong finished third at an even 37 miles, 3.39 miles off the final total.

I’ll be emailing Joe for his mailing address, and will forward it to Performance Bike’s agency to send him his prize.

So congratulations to Joe, and thanks again to everyone who entered.

I don’t know about you, but this was fun. Maybe we’ll do it again sometime soon.

Category: General / Tags: , , ,

Win a $25 Performance gift card, celebrate To Live and Ride in LA, and watch your ass on Angeles Crest

June 22, 2011 / / 21 comments

For once, it could actually pay to read this blog.

Starting today, the singularly named Performance Bike is holding what they describe as the biggest sale in their 29-year history. And to celebrate — and yes, get a little publicity — they’ve offered me a $25 gift card to give away to one of my readers.

According to their press release, everything in their stores will be on sale, as well as everything on their website, with doorbuster specials offering up to 70% off. The sale runs through Sunday, June 26th; and takes place in all of their local L.A.-area stores, including, presumably, the new Long Beach store.

And while you’re at it, you might want to like them on Facebook, for those of you who, unlike me, actually like Facebook.

Now, about that contest to win a free gift card.

Here are the rules:

I’m planning to go out for a bike ride on Wednesday. All you have to do is guess how far I’m going to ride; closest guess to my actual final mileage wins the $25 gift card from Performance Bike.

Simple, right?

Of course, the catch is, even I don’t know how far I’m going to ride.

To give you a clue, I’ll be riding from my home in Westwood to the coast, then along the beach and back. I live almost exactly 7.5 miles from PCH, so that’s a minimum of 15 miles right there. And exactly where and how far I go after that will depend entirely on my mood, the weather and how far my legs will carry me.

Just leave your best guess in the comments here; I’ll contact the winner by email, so be sure to use a valid email address. And to give everyone a fair chance, wherever you are and whenever you read this, we’ll make the deadline to enter a full 24 hours from the time I post this.

Which means the cut-off is Wednesday night at 11:58 pm PDT.

The gift card will be mailed to the winner directly from their agency, and should be valid on the Performance website, so you don’t need to live in Southern California to enter.

May the best guess win.

Note to other bike shops: I’m a firm believer in supporting local bike shops; the reason I’m promoting the Performance sale is because they asked. Just a hint.

And for the sake of full disclosure, they’re sending me a gift card for the same amount as well. And no, you can’t have it.

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The new, long-awaited movie about the L.A. fixie scene has just been released on DVD and iTunes. To Live & Ride in L.A. explores one of the world’s most vibrant cycling scenes taking place right now on the streets, alleys and velodromes of our fair city.

You can celebrate both the film and biking at the official release party this Saturday, June 26th, at Royal/T, 8910 Washington Blvd in L.A. The party runs from 6:30 pm to midnight, and is open to the public.

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Michael Byerts forwards an email from a member of the LA Tri Club warning about a dangerous driver on Angeles Crest Highway — which has already seen three traffic fatalities since the highway was reopened less than three weeks ago.

On Angeles Crest today, a silver Nissan XTERRA (ED: plate number deleted) slowed down to yell angrily at three pairs of cyclists and swerved into the shoulder cutting off two pairs (I was in one of the pairs). All three pairs were riding separately, didn’t know each other, and were at different sections of the highway between Foothill and Newcombs. Long story short, the car was reported, and the driver was stopped and arrested.

However, given that the driver seemed to show very little remorse when talking with the other pair of cyclists up at Newcombs Ranch and didn’t seem all that well balanced, we are a little worried that he will continue his dangerous driving into cyclists. All three pairs of cyclists were riding up, so going slowly. If he does the same thing to cyclists riding down, it could be much worse.

So, please be careful if you see a silver Nissan XTERRA while riding on ACH, particularly if the driver slows down or yells at you. The car had a bike rack on it today, too. If you experience anything similar (or have already since crest has opened), please notify the California Highway Patrol to build a case on this guy.

Please forward to friends/groups that ride on Angeles Crest.

I’m withholding the author’s name to protect his/her privacy.

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Finally, you may recall that L.A. cyclist Patrick Pascal offered his observations on the multitude of problems facing cyclists in Griffith Park in a guest post last December.

Now he offers an update indicating that at least one of the problems has been resolved.

I am happy to report that, a mere six months after the above left picture appeared on your blog (in my review of Griffith Park’s bike amenities), this stretch of pavement (pictured on the right has been restored. I have no illusions that my post was anything but a coincidence as we all know how fastidious the city is about maintaining infrastructure. Bravo to the Park Department for not letting the entire roadway wash away before making repairs.

BTW, this is one of LA’s best sunset rides with panoramas from the San Gabriel mountains to the islands and into the valley from the top.

Before.

After. Though from what I can see, the other side still doesn't look so good.

Category: General, Guest Columns / Tags: , , , , , ,

Today’s post, in which I remember the man who instilled my life-long love of bicycling

June 18, 2011 / / 6 comments

As far back as I remember, there was a bike hanging on the wall of our family’s garage.

The yellow paint had faded years before, any brand name that may have once marked its frame had disappeared in the many days since its manufacture. Its three speed gearing had long ago locked in place; the improbably narrow tires hadn’t seen air in decades.

In its day, it was a racing bike.

One that carried my father, in his own youth, on journeys to countless cities surrounding his northern Colorado home, often dozens — and sometimes hundreds — of miles on a single ride.

And usually without permission.

Where it came from, I don’t know. It may have been a gift, possibly from his own father, before he abandoned my grandmother and her children on an isolated farm on the eastern Colorado plains in the midst of the Great Depression. Or it could have come after she quit the farm and moved her family to the then small town where I grew up.

Maybe he earned the money himself. Or it could have come from some other source.

My father described himself as a bad kid when he was growing up; one who knew every cop in the area on a professional basis. When asked, he told us that meant smoking, drinking and staying out past curfew. But I often thought there might be more to the story he wasn’t willing to confess to his own children.

One thing is certain, though. He vowed that, unlike his father, he would always be there for his own children. And even though he was far from a wealthy man,  they would never endure the hardships he did growing up.

And he more than lived up to that.

To be honest, though, all you really need to know about the kind of man my dad was is contained in one simple story.

He started smoking when he was just 12 years old, and continued his pack-a-day habit for more than 40 years. He often said the only thing that got him through the horrors of World War II — first in Europe, then the Pacific preparing for the planned invasion of Japan — were cigarettes and letters from my mother.

He made a few half-hearted attempts to quit over the years, mostly at her urging. But never made it more than a day or two before starting up again.

Then one day, when I was about 12, he came home from work to learn that the doctor had just diagnosed my persistent cough as an allergy to cigarette smoke. So he took the cigarette pack out of his pocket and placed it on his dresser, without a word or second glance.

And never picked them up again.

He was, then, roughly the same age I am today; 20 years later, those same cigarettes would take his life.

In my earliest memories, I see him encouraging each of us to get out and ride our bikes; from my older brothers on their 5 and 10 speeds, to my sister’s hand-me-down Schwinn cruiser, and me, as the youngest, on a tiny tricycle.

As I got older, I graduated to a bigger trike, then to that same old Schwinn, which he had repainted in the colors of my choice. As I recall, I picked the purple and gold of the high school I would eventually attend, though it may have been the green and gold of the local university; at one time or another, it was painted in both.

It was my dad who held on tight, pushing my new grown-up bike down the sidewalk until it finally picked up enough speed to maintain my balance for a few yards. And he was the one who picked me up, brushed me off and dried my tears, and got me back in the saddle again, until at last I could tear around the neighborhood unassisted.

On those long hot summer nights, he’d urge us all to get on our bikes. Sometimes, he might even borrow one from one of my brothers and join in for a few minutes.

All the while, that old yellow bike hung on the wall, his love for it shown by the dust that never seemed to accumulate for long.

He’d talk about fixing it up and joining us, but never seemed to get around to it. Once he finally did, he found the parts were no longer available.

In my teens, I took the money I earned delivering newspapers on that old Schwinn, and bought an Astra Tour de France that looked exactly like this one. That was my primary form of transportation until I bought a car my junior year; regrettably, I sold that Astra a year later as I got ready to travel halfway across the country for college.

Then one day, a few years out of college, I found myself sitting alone in a Louisiana movie theater, far from home and the people I loved. And I was reminded once again of the sheer joy of bicycling, as I watched a young man call out “Ciao Pappa!” to his Indiana father as he rode by on his bike, wishing I could see my own.

I’ve often credited Breaking Away with kindling my love of cycling. But in truth, it only resparked a romance that began in my childhood and lasted most of my life.

A few months later, I walked into the local branch of nation’s oldest bike shop and walked out with a shiny blue Trek — one of the first of their then-new line of American-made bikes.

The day my father died, that old yellow bike was still hanging on the wall of his garage; still unridden and unridable, yet something he was never able to bring himself to give away. A sentiment I understand well, as that now 30-year old Trek sits silently in my office, one of my oldest and closest companions with whom I have shared most of my fondest memories, and one I have no desire to ever leave behind.

I don’t remember why I didn’t take his bike when I went back home for my father’s funeral; I imagine I simply didn’t have room in my tiny apartment for a bike I might never be able to ride.

We ended up donating it to the local museum, where it was on display the only time I stopped to visit, following my mother’s death a decade later.

It’s probably the right place for it, where countless people who never knew him can marvel at the antique speed machine that carried my dad so far from home, so many years before.

But sometimes I wish it was hanging on my own wall, reminding me of the man who first kindled my lifelong love affair with cycling.

And I wish I could talk to him just one more time, and beg him to ride with me once again.

And thank him for the truly precious gift he gave me.

Category: Best of, General / Tags: , , ,

A newly replenished list of events, and a whole lot of bike links

June 11, 2011 / / 3 comments

After a brief respite, we’ve got another long list of bike events, and lots of links for your weekend reading pleasure.

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As always, Bike Talk airs every Saturday at 10 am; listen to it live or download the podcast from KPFK.

Saturday, June 11th, the Eastside Bike Club is joining with Project Pink and the Barber House in Lincoln Heights to host the EBC’s Community Cancer Awareness Bike Ride, starting at 9 am at the Antigua Bread El Sereno, 5597 Huntington Drive North in El Sereno. Event will include food trucks and DJ, as well an opportunity to donate your hair to Locks of Love.

Flying Pigeon hosts their monthly Spoke(n) Art Ride on Saturday, June 11 and the Get Sum Dim Sum Ride on Sunday, June 19th. All rides meet at Flying Pigeon Bike Shop, 3714 North Figueroa Street in Highland Park.

The L.A. Sheriff’s Department Cycling Team is hosting the R2R LASD Cyclefest this Saturday, June 11, with rides of 17, 34 and 62 miles. The ride supports Road 2 Recovery to benefit the rehabilitation of wounded veterans, and starts at 8 am at Malibu/Lost Hills Station, 27050 Agoura Road in Agoura.

On Sunday, June 12th, Flying Pigeon is hosting an evening with Yves Engler and Bianca Mugyenyi, authors of “Stop Signs: Cars and Capitalism on the Road to Economic, Social and Ecological Decay.” It takes place beginning at 7 pm at Flying Pigeon, 3714 North Figueroa Street in Highland Park.

Also on Sunday the 12th, the Shady Bunch is presenting An Afternoon Delight, a fundraiser for CicLAvia at the Weiland Brewery Restaurant, 400 East 1st Street in Little Tokyo. The event will continue on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month.

If you can make it up to Sacramento on Sunday, June 12th, Ride4Matt is sponsoring a charity ride to benefit Matthew Wietrick, who was seriously injured while riding last February. Choose from routes of 10, 35 and 70 miles, with a $7 BBQ lunch after the ride; donations gratefully accepted.

Tuesday, June 14th, the L.A. City Council will consider the appointment of Jaime De La Vega to head LADOT, as well as the Wilshire Blvd Bus Only Lanes, which would also allow bicycles while banning cars during rush hour. The hearing begins at 10 am in the City Council chambers at L.A. City Hall, 200 North Spring Street Downtown.

Flying Pigeon Bike Shop will host a fundraising bike ride and party to benefit Streetsblog LA on Friday, June 17th, beginning and ending at Flying Pigeon, 3714 North Figueroa Street in Highland Park; ride meets at 6 pm, with party to follow at 8 pm. Any more of their events this week, and we may have to get Flying Pigeon to sponsor this page.

C.I.C.L.E is sponsoring a free seven-mile Northeast L.A. Nature Ride exploring the natural beauty of Northeast L.A. Meet at the entrance to the Arroyo Seco Bike Path at Arroyo Seco Stables, 1001 Arroyo Verde Road at 1 pm on Saturday, June 18th.

Friday, June 24th, the L.A. Chapter of the American Institute of Architecture is partnering with CicLAvia for a 1-day conference on the Architecture of Transportation. The event takes place at the West Hall of the L.A. Convention Center from 8:30 am to 5:15 pm.

Italian-style biking comes to L.A. with the 2011 Gran Fondo Calnago Los Angeles, offering rides of 39 and 72 miles, with up to 7,100 feet of climbing; registration includes jersey, aid stations and post-ride Italian lunch. Proceeds will go to benefit Team Type 1, a pro team made up to call attention to the fight against Type 1 Diabetes. The rides start at 7 am on Sunday, June 26h at the 400 block of Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.

On July 15th, life as we know it will come to an end when Carmaggedon occurs with the closure of the 405 Freeway through West L.A. True believers in freeway widening and car culture will immediately be raptured out of the construction zone, leaving those left behind to fight for survival on the streets of the city; for those lucky few who make it through the weekend, life will return to some semblance of normal when the freeway reopens on Monday the 18th. Or you could just, you know, ride your bike.

The July 10th CicLAvia has been cancelled, but the October 9th event is a definite go, with an expanded route taking participants another 2.5 miles into Boyle Heights.

Tuesday, August 30th, Santa Monica’s Library Alehouse will host a benefit night for Streetsblog LA; 5% of all food and drink purchases will benefit Streetsblog; 2911 Main Street.

And mark your calendar for the 2011 L.A. edition of the Tour de Fat on October 8th; you’d think someone in the scheduling department would have noticed that the 9th is Yom Kippur this year. And L.A. has more than a few Jewish cyclists.

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Police identify the cyclist killed in a North Hollywood shooting as 19-year old Sylmar resident Shoichi Joe Minesaki. Stephen Box suggests Jaime De la Vega’s appointment to head LADOT is more of the same. The L.A. Times looks at new hi-tech clothes that go from bike to office, and says protecting cyclists should be a priority, bless their ink stained little hearts. Better Bike Beverly Hills reports on that city’s recent Ad-Hoc Bike Committee meeting; the key phrase seems to be “the city has not responded.” Safe Routes to School urges SCAG to prioritize safety for all road users. Just a little too late in writing about the father of the quick release. Bicycle Fixation questions the assumptions that keep bike projects from moving forward. The South Bay’s new bike master plan goes public on June 20th, The Antelope Valley High Desert Cyclists associates with the LACBC.

A Corona del Mar girl slips while biking to school and falls off a bridge, clinging to ivy to avoid a 30-foot fall before she’s pulled to safety. A memorial ride will be held on Saturday, July 9th for Nick Venuto, the cyclist killed in North San Diego when a car went off a busy highway and flipped onto an off-road bike path. The AIDS/LifeCycle ride reaches L.A. on Saturday, one week and 545 miles after leaving San Francisco. The CHP is looking for the hit-and-run driver who killed a Santa Cruz bike messenger. Can bikes take the lane in the City by the Bay? Sacramento’s bike cops could be on the chopping block. Cyclelicious explains how to make a box turn. An arch conservative calls for shutting down streets so Americans can practice their none motorized transportation skills; Cyclelicious says that sounds a lot like a ciclovia. The state budget crisis threatens popular mountain bike trails.

A bicycle designer is looking for funding through Kickstarter for a new industrial strength multi-use bike trailer. The helmet of the future could call paramedics for you. Elly Blue tells Tea Partiers that the socialized subsidy of motor vehicles must end. Nine rules for riding in a paceline, which may not be as scary as you think. A Tucson cyclist is banned for life for doping. The mayor of bike-friendly Portland hits a cyclist, but denies the blame. Colorado’s new USA Pro Cycling Challenge plans the two highest climbs in pro racing history — on the same stage, no less. Traversing a very bike unfriendly stretch of Kansas. Chicago’s new mayor challenges Portland and Long Beach for the county’s most bike friendly city; it’s off to a good start with its first protected bike lane and bike box. In case you haven’t seen it yet, a New York cyclist gets a ticket for riding outside the bike lane, and responds by crashing into every object he can find that’s blocking it in a wildly popular viral video; then again, there’s more to the story. More New Yorkers are killed in traffic than by guns each year; advocates call for zero traffic deaths by 2030. As if the NYPD’s recent crackdown on cyclists wasn’t creepy enough, now police are stopping women for riding in skirts, which is troubling in so many ways; clearly, this is a department with serious problems. The NY Times profiles an armless cyclist who could probably drop you in a second. Plans to welcome cyclists to downtown Cumberland MD hit a snag when a homeless woman refuses to leave. A group of Cherokee cyclists are riding the infamous Trail of Tears from the Deep South to the former Indian Territories in Oklahoma; thanks to Zeke for the link.

An online course in how to perform first aid for cyclists. The non-profit Bike Revolution bicycle registration program is now known as Bike Shepherd. Yet another careless Brit driver walks away with a slap on the wrist. London police threaten to ticket a mother for carrying her kids on a legal bike. The custom bike business is booming, but you can always build your own. Town Mouse says come bike the UK, where you too can dice with death. French fans tell Contador to stay away from Le Tour, while five Mexican footballers play the Contador defense. Sixty-two percent of Aussies would like to ride a bike, but are afraid of the country’s roads. Evidently, China takes hit-and-run seriously, as authorities execute a driver who hit and injured a cyclist, got out of his car to stab her to death, then fled the scene; thanks to Rex Reese for the heads-up.

Finally, a group of bike thieves chop down a tree to steal a bike for a few seconds of joy riding, although it probably would have been easier to use that axe on the lock. And it’s important to keep your bike prepared at all times in case of Zombie attack, even if you’re a Dalmation.

But seriously, lose the training wheels.

Category: Bike Events, General / Tags: , , ,

It’s all about the River Ride, and a long list of weekend links

June 4, 2011 / / One comment

This weekend, it’s all about the L.A. River Ride on Sunday.

KCRW’s Shortcuts looks at the River Ride, while Damien Newton demonstrates his scary knowledge of One Tree Hill in honor of Grand Marshal Austin Nichols. And if you read this early enough, Will Campbell invites you to join him and other volunteers in the annual tradition of marking the route; the photo alone is worth the click.

You can expect Nichols to be there on Sunday, along with Mayor Villaraigosa and a camera crew from KTLA. As well as a few thousand happy cyclists, including yours truly.

You can find me on the 70 mile ride, and signing up new members in the LACBC booth afterwards — assuming I can still stand at that point. Though I may have to sneak off for a cold 1554 at the New Belgium Brewing booth at some point.

And don’t forget the after party at Home Restaurant, 2500 Riverside Drive, with $3 New Belgium pints all day.

After all, you have to do something to get your strength back, right?

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Some other notable events this weekend:

Saturday, June 4th, the Palms Neighborhood Council and the LAPD’s Pacific Division is sponsoring the 2011 Bike Rodeo from 10 am to 2 pm at Palms Elementary School, 3520 Motor Ave; events include a bike safety course, safety inspection, radar speed test and a bike giveaway, as well as live entertainment and free food.

Folk Art Everywhere explores the historic West Adams District on their next bike tour on Saturday, June 4th; expect an easy, fun and fascinating ride perfect for beginning to moderate cyclists. Meet at Mercado La Paloma, 3655 S. Grand Avenue in Los Angeles, at 11 am, with the ride starting at 11:15.

Flying Pigeon hosts their monthly Brewery Ride on Saturday, June 4th from 3 to 5:30 pm; meet at Flying Pigeon Bike Shop, 3714 North Figueroa Street in Highland Park.

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Following the death of Nick Venuto and the serious injuries to Baron Herdelin-Doherty in San Diego on Wednesday, both Caltrans and local cyclists question whether the bike path they were riding on is safe enough. And Bike Crave remembers a man he barely knew.

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As noted Friday morning, Mayor Villaraigosa shook up LADOT, appointing Deputy Mayor Jaime De La Vega to head the troubled department, among others; Damien Newton calls the appointment a safe choice and asks if it was the right choice.

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Goodbye to Sirinya of UCLA’s Be A Green Commuter blog, who’s moving on with her career; she did a great job helming BAGC, and I learned a lot from her. Good luck in the new position.

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As Chris points out, sometimes you just have to ride, even if you’re going in the wrong direction. The Bicycle Shop Decal Project offers a great way to kill a few minutes, or hours. LAPD bike point man Sgt. David Krumer answers readers’ questions on Streetsblog. Examined Spoke says if you focus too much on poor cyclists, you could lose them once they reach middle class. The latest Beastie Boys video features at least eight I. Martin customers. A look back at a successful Bike Month in Glendale. Great news for cyclists as Angeles Crest Highway finally reopens. Camarillo cyclist Chris Barton had less than a week to prepare for the Giro. The next round of workshops for the South Bay bike plan are coming up later this month. A Santa Ana councilwoman rides her bike to fight OC’s status as the state’s second fattest county. Huntington Beach offers traffic school for ticketed cyclists, something that was also included in L.A.’s new bike plan.

Tucson Velo looks at Oceanside’s riding scene. Authorities credit a 9-year old’s bike helmet for saving his life after he was hit and pinned under an SUV. Cyclelicious fills you in on the status of bike related bills in the state legislature; the three-foot passing bill passes the state Senate and moves on to the Assembly. Joe Linton looks at bike facilities in Baghdad by the Bay. A San Jose father builds a homemade trike to help his son recover from a brain injury. Bay Area children are involved in more bike collisions than any other age group. Yet another sign of the bike boom as Caltrain commits to two bike cars on every train.

Bob Mionske offers his usual great advice on how to avoid collisions, and what to do if you have one; seriously, take notes — I failed this test in real life. Bicycling offers a revue of stylish bike baskets, which will never, ever grace my road bike. The hottest trend in cycling is just ride, already. Neil Browne explains why he’s not taking down his Lance Armstrong poster. Twenty percent of all collisions are related to driveways, as many cyclists can attest. DOT Secretary Ray LaHood plans to bike to work on Monday. The culture of carnage needs to change. Dave Moulton says it’s never too late to insist on bike/ped access for a new bridge. A Florida non-profit fixes up bikes and gives them to the homeless. However, if you visit Florida, you might want to avoid Lee County, the most dangerous county in the U.S. for cyclists.

Nearly three-quarters of Toronto residents want more bike lanes. An 82-year of British man dies after rear-ending a stopped truck during a time trial. A British motorist is killed by an enraged rider after dooring a group of cyclists. Maybe Copenhagen has finally gone too far in welcoming cyclists. People for Bikes looks at Seville’s remarkable transformation.

Finally, Ewan McGregor, fixie fanatic. The food truck fad shrinks as El Tacobike hits the streets of Oakland.

And you’ve probably already seen the inspirational speech that follows a kid’s first successful bike ride.

Category: General / Tags: , , ,

Winner(s) announced in our free River Ride contest; last day for online discount

June 1, 2011 / / Comments Off on Winner(s) announced in our free River Ride contest; last day for online discount

How about a little good news for a change?

Over the weekend, the staff of the LACBC’s 11th Annual L.A. River Ride narrowed the list of contestants to win a free entry to this Sunday’s event to just two finalists.

Then couldn’t decide between the two.

So they asked if I’d mind if we just declared a tie and gave the prize to both. Yeah, like I’m going to object to a little extra generosity for my readers.

So congratulations to Shalimar Gonzales, who recently moved to L.A. and wants to use the River Ride to make new friends and push herself to finish her first long distance ride. And to personal trainer and inspirational writer Jason Johnson, who wants to inspire others to fulfill their dreams and become the best version of themselves.

Both of you will receive a certificate for a free River Ride entry by email within the next day or so; just print that out an bring it to the River Ride on Sunday with your ID to receive your free ride.

And thanks to everyone who entered. Even though you didn’t win, you can still save $10 by registering online with special discount code TEDBC11(case sensitive), exclusively for BikingInLA readers.

But don’t wait — online registration ends today!

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Speaking of the Bike Coalition, the LACBC’s Allison Mannos and Adrian Leung draw a connection on Streestblog between bicycling in developing countries and low-income cyclists of color in the U.S. Definitely worth a read.

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No updates yet on last night’s freak collision that took the life of one cyclist and seriously injured another when an SUV ran off a San Diego Freeway and flipped over onto an off-road bike path. More news when it becomes available.

Category: General / Tags: , , ,

Run over by a riding mower, near-killer PV speed bumps to stay

May 31, 2011 / / 9 comments

As some of you may know, my oldest brother runs a dog team up in the Anchorage area, competing in the famed Iditarod sled dog race four times, and finishing three.

The other left him and his team huddled in a shelter in subzero temperatures, waiting for rescue with a broken sled — not to mention a broken leg, frostbite and a bruised shoulder.

The dogs were just fine, though.

So maybe he was in the market for a safer form of transportation, or one that works a little better once the snow melts. Or maybe, like the rest of us, he was just trying to save a little with the current sky high price of gas.

Regardless, my brother, Eric O. Rogers — perhaps the only particle physicist and dog musher on the planet — has now officially joined the ranks of bike riders.

And promptly gotten himself run over.

By a riding mower.

It seems he rode his bike to the local Lowes home improvement store, and stopped in the parking lot to ask an employee where he could find a bike rack. And as he was stopped on his bike, he was hit by man on a riding lawnmower.

Fortunately, the mower wasn’t in use at the time, and he escaped with nothing more than a little road rash.

And I’m sure you already know the answer to the question that nearly got him turned into mulch.

Lowes, at least that one, doesn’t have bike racks.

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In a decision that defies common sense, the City Council of Palos Verdes Estates has voted to keep the speed bumps that nearly killed cyclist Richard Schlickman.

As you may recall, Schlickman was critically injured when he hit the newly installed speed bumps — excuse me, speed cushions — while riding downhill at speed, with little or no warning to cyclists that they had been built on a popular riding route. He had been riding downhill at speed when he hit the bumps, sliding nearly 80 feet down the roadway before coming to a stop; fortunately, word is he continues to make slow but steady improvement from what could have been a fatal fall.

But rather than remove or replace the potentially killer cushions, the council inexplicably voted to keep them in place.

Evidently, they haven’t yet crippled or killed enough cyclists in their effort to tame local traffic. Maybe someone should tell them there are alternative methods to calm traffic that don’t put riders lives at risk.

I hope PVE has a good lawyer.

Thanks to Jim Lyle for the heads-up.

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Hap Dougherty shares another great set of cycling photos. This time, it’s a Memorial Day ride that took him from Westwood’s Los Angeles National Cemetery, throughout the Westside and up the L.A. River Bike Path — home to this weekend’s L.A. River Ride.

It does make you wonder why the cemetery insists on banning bikes, when so many riders just want to pay their respects.

Myself included.

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Over the weekend I found myself drawn into a discussion on the West Seattle Blog, possibly the nation’s leading hyperlocal news site — sorry Patch — managed by a couple of longtime friends.

One of their readers was shocked and offended to see a cyclist towing his child in a bike trailer, assuming imminent danger — if not death — for the parentally neglected kid.

Problem is, while motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of death for children, few, if any, of those deaths result from collisions with bicycle trailers. In terms of sheer numbers, children are at far greater risk riding in a car with their parents, or simply walking on the sidewalk.

One of the writers tried to make the point that even if just one child was killed as a result of riding in a bike trailer, it would be one too many — especially if it was your child.

That conveniently ignores the nearly 7,000 or more passengers killed in motor vehicle collisions each year — many of them children. As well as the more than 4,000 pedestrians of all ages killed every year. Each of whom was someone’s child.

So rather than getting up in arms over a potential, hypothetical danger, we should be concerned about the proven risk posed by careless, aggressive, intoxicated or distracted drivers, who kill over 33,000 people on American streets every year — including a minimum of 630 cyclists.

Sadly, there are none so blind as those who cannot see through the glare of their own windshields.

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Finally, thanks to Richard Masoner of Cyclelicious for stopping by to say hi as he passed through town over the weekend, along with his lovely family. It was a true pleasure to finally meet someone I’ve only traded emails with, and who’s work I have always enjoyed and admired.

And while I neglected to take any pictures, he did capture great shot of the new intern, who has been helping more than she knows by sleeping behind the sofa this morning and allowing me to work uninterrupted for a change.

Category: Bicycle Safety, Car vs Bike, General / Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
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